City Council

CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in regular session on March 1, 2018 at the regular meeting place of the City Council. Councilman Bolden delivered the invocation and Mayor Fletcher led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: City Councilman: Elliott, Bolden, Sansing, Traylor, Smith, and Collins answered ROLL CALL. Mayor Fletcher also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Councilmen McCleary, Ray, Mashburn, and Twitty were absent. PRESENT SIX (6) ABSENT (4). Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, City Engineer Jay Whisker, Professional Administrative Consultant Geoffrey Herweg, IT Director Scott Rothlisberger, Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Glenda Fletcher, Planning Commissioner Patrick Thomas, Jeannie Herweg, Johnny Simpson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Fletcher presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 15, 2018 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Councilman Traylor moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden that the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of 1 February 2018 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENTS: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: RESOLUTION 765 (#02-2018) A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE FOR THE GENEROUS DONATIONS OF BRIAN BLEVINS/RAY BLEVINS OF THE GAME STORE AND JAMES AREL OF TIGER INSURANCE AGENCY FOR THE PURCHASE OF A NEW K9 FOR THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT; DESIGNATIONG THE NAME OF THE NEW K9 OF THE DEPARTMENT; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Councilman Elliott moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to read Resolution 765. MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 765 (#02-2018). Councilman Sansing moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve Resolution 765 (#02-2018) in its entirety. 1  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. Mayor Fletcher recognized K-9 Supervisor Johnny Hicks and Greg Stewart who will be Canine Officer Zoe’s handler. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. Mayor Fletcher presented a plague of appreciation to Brian Blevins, Ray Blevins, and James Arel. He commended them for their community service and generous donation, describing them as exceptional. He recognized their contribution to the Jacksonville Police Department. Mr. Mayor then related that in September Brian Blevins took it upon himself to help the Boys’ and Girls’ Club with their feeding programs. He stated that Brian secured donations of food and money for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club, commenting that Brian has a huge heart. Parks and Recreation Director Kevin House acknowledged Brian Blevins, explaining that he also donated a 3-D printer and three 40” flat screen TVs to the Martin Street Youth Center. Mr. Brian Blevins thanked the City Council, saying that it was the support already given to the City that gave him the drive to donate. He added that he wanted to thank the City for going the extra mile in letting him do something that honored his hero; his father. He related that his dad has been battling cancer his entire life and they just received a diagnosis of Leukemia, saying that if there is anyone who will fight - it will be his dad. He stated that he has been gracious enough to be able to have focus to do good things in a time, right now, noting that their business was hit with the ceiling falling in, which destroyed over 80% of the business. He related that he has not been able to be open, but added that luckily he has an amazing support system personally, and also the City has supported him “hands down”. He related that he had previously said that he believes 2018 is going to be the year that Jacksonville rises into the lime light. He stated that this year is important to him, because this is the year that he has lived in Jacksonville longer than he hasn’t. He then stated that he has seen the good and bad, explaining that most recently he has seen a change, people are coming together to positively honor a common cause. He related that he has seen the “believers” defend the people they support, adding he has seen people change their views of the City and the City leaders after the realization that there are so many things the City does that just go unrecognized. He stated he has seen naysayers challenged, not only in the double standards they project, but also with the acknowledgement they are a minority in a group of many. He related he has first hand witnessed good deeds silence the people that have the agenda of perpetrating a bleak outlook on the City. He added this is the year that Jacksonville quits focusing on what it doesn’t have and starts accepting and building on what it does have. He related this is the year that all the new voices will be heard and supported the forward momentum this City currently has and this is the year the City will propel out of the reach of people that don’t want the true colors of Jacksonville to be seen. This is the year of Jacksonville, saying he is hyped, pumped, and proud to call Jacksonville his home. 2  CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 1, 2018 7:00 P.M. – 7:12 P.M. The audience responded in applause. Mayor Fletcher offered that Brian and his dad would be in everyone’s prayers. STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: AFA Presentation by Jerry Reichenbach Mr. Reichenbach stated that on behalf of the Air Force Association members in Arkansas and specifically in regard to the support the City of Jacksonville has shown the AFA, they are presenting Mayor Fletcher on behalf of the City of Jacksonville with a citation of appreciation. He read the dedication: “I present this citation, Air Force Association David D. Terry, Jr. recognizing the City of Jacksonville for their continued support to our Chapter and the Air Force Association.” He presented Mayor Fletcher with the plaque of appreciation. He then related a brief story regarding Mayor Fletcher’s personal financial donation to their Chapter. APPOINTMENTS: PLANNING COMMISSION Councilman Elliott moved, seconded by Councilman Bolden to approve the appointment of Dan Brown to the Planning Commission for a term to expire 01/01/2021. MOTION CARRIED. ANNOUNCMENTS: ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Fletcher adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:12 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR GARY FLETCHER City Clerk-Treasurer 3